Nailsea Town Council wants to keep free parking in town

A town council in North Somerset wants to take over three car parks as it fears charges may be introduced.

The sites in Nailsea are owned by the district council but are managed by the town council.

The town council has written to North Somerset Council asking for a 25-year lease because they want to "get rid of the uncertainty".

The district council said it would wait to see what the town council's letter said before commenting on their offer.

The three car parks are in Station Road, Link Road and Clevedon Road and offer three hours of free parking.

'Keep shops open'

Chairman of Nailsea Town Council Rod Lees said: "Like any town in the rest of the country we're in recession at the moment.

"Nailsea has been fighting - with the Chamber of Trade and with many people in our community - to keep our shops open.

"We want to get rid of this uncertainty. Last night we agreed to submit a written offer to North Somerset to acquire a 25-year lease on three of the car parks they own in Nailsea."

A spokesman for North Somerset Council said: "The issue of parking is being looked at across the district.

"If any changes were planned we would make sure these were advertised and there would be the opportunity for the public to have their say and let us have their views."